Monday, October 17, 2016

Maybe I Won't Retire, After All....

Writing used to come easily for me. I wrote one of my best novels, The Unicorn's Daughter, in four months. Final Hours took six weeks. It was almost too easy, which is why I was surprised that TheUnicorn's Daughter required almost no editing from Berkley and became, along with Chasing the Wind, one of my best-reviewed novels.As I've gotten older, though, I've found it more and more difficult to finish a project. I asked my neurologist if I might be in the early stages of Alzheimer's. "No. You're way too sharp for that," she assured me. Okay. If not that, what about epilepsy? I was first diagnosed as a teenager, and due to my own stupidity, was off the anti-seizure meds for a long time (I don't have convulsive seizures, so I assumed--incorrectly--that I wasn't having seizures at all). Again, the answer was no. My previous neurologist told me I was just distracted. ADHD, maybe?My eyesight is not what it used to be--not that it was ever all that good. Arthritis has been an issue, so writing first drafts in longhand, as I've done throughout most of my career, was no longer possible. It was also a problem in using a computer, tablet or smartphone--especially the latter two, since I had to hold the devices at an angle close enough to be able to see the screens. I've joked here about my "Kindle elbow."I'd tried dictation, but that was also a struggle--until I found this book.

Dictate Your Book: How to Write Your Book Better, Faster and Smarter by Monica Leonelle is a gem. Really. She points out that, like learning to type and use a computer are skills that require training and practice, dictation isn't something you just do. Her book is short, concise and gives you all you need to learn to dictate your books, screenplays, short stories, etc. Collin is even considering it for doing his classwork, time being a big factor for him.I'm probably going to repeat this post on my writer blog on Wednesday. And speaking of that, today's post there is on characterization....

I have a small recorder. I hate the sound of my voice. Worse, I am self-conscious talking into it-even when I'm alone!!!But, in the night, when some darn scene pops to mind, I do have to grab it. But this sounds different. I commend you, Norma, for trying something new, and digging for answers.